Germany’s Infineon sees chip shortages until 2023
He estimated that capacity was about 20 percent short of demand currently in the mobile telephony chip sector, while in other areas, the shortfall is at about 10 percent.
“But we also need a certain amount of idle capacity, or even better — flexible capacity. Without flexibility, the system would be under constant stress,” said Ploss.
A surge in demand for home electronics during coronavirus lockdowns combined with temporary factory closures have put pressure on supplies.
The automotive industry’s pivot to electric mobility has also triggered a strong demand for chips.
Almost two-thirds of German industrial companies have reported shortages in supply of semiconductors, according to recent research by the Munich-based IFO institute.
The chip shortage will also force automotive giant Daimler to cut workers’ hours in some plants next week, according to reports in the Stuttgarter Nachrichten and Stuttgarter Zeitung.
hmn/dlc/lth
© Agence France-Presse
